Meeting Info

🕒 Time: 1:00 P.M.
📅 Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
📍 Location: City Hall, Mayor's Conference Room, 8th Floor
💻 Virtual Option: Meeting Link
📞 Call-in Number: 1-907-519-0237
Conference ID: 525 144 998#

Advocacy Opportunity

The AMATS Policy Committee will be discussing the Safer Seward Highway project at this meeting, with time for public comment. You can review the Technical Advisory Committee meeting recording (and see presentation slides here) for background on the project.

Why Does This Matter?

The part of the Seward Highway widening project within AMATS boundaries has seen its estimated cost skyrocket—from $90 million to $266 million. To cover this increase, AMATS would need to change its long-range transportation plan, which could mean cutting funding for other local projects.

The project team claims they can find new funding sources without sacrificing other local projects. But here's the problem: Those funds could instead be used to address Anchorage’s urgent safety needs and address our unprecedented traffic violence crisis.

This part of the Seward Highway sees an average of two traffic fatalities per year, whereas 14 pedestrians have died on city streets this year, and more drivers have lost their lives as well - there is no question of where safety improvements are needed most.

Instead of pouring resources into unnecessary highway widening, the state should invest in proven safety measures like protected bike lanes, safer crossings, and traffic calming measures on Anchorage's most dangerous roads.

The AMATS Policy Committee must make a recommendation on how to proceed: Accept the increased project costs, reject the cost increase, or remove the project altogether. They need to hear from you!

How to Get Involved

Join us at the meeting and give testimony. Share why safety for people biking and walking matters to you, and urge the Policy Committee to reject more funding for highway widening. Ask them to focus instead on making Anchorage’s streets safer.

What to Say

If you’re not sure what to say during your testimony, here are a few talking points:

• Runaway Costs: The state is asking for more money for an unnecessary highway widening project, even as Anchorage experiences one of its deadliest years for traffic violence.
• Invest in Safety: Advocate for redirecting new funding to safer streets with road diets, protected bike lanes, safer intersections, and better pedestrian crossings.
• Personal Impact: Share how unsafe roads have affected your ability to bike, walk, or feel safe in Anchorage.

Can’t Attend the Meeting?

Submit your comments online via the AMATS portal.